I really enjoyed reading about cognitive and social development in infancy, I
can relate to it after being around my nephew and niece when they were going
through their infancy. First of all, I would have to say that I also disagree
with Piaget's theory. I think that infants develop perceptual vision and can
tell the difference between objects and backround earlier than Piaget believed.
I believe that they develop memory earlier also. For example, a favorite blanket
or stuffed animal they may ecspecially like and remember, or even the infant
recognizing and knowing their parents is an example of memory. I thought the
section on language was interesting. I would have to agree with the idea that
children have a critical period, where they have a readiness to learn language,
and if they miss this period, it is hard to learn. The story of Gene is a
perfect example. I always thought it would be great to be bilingual. Then when I
do have kids, I can teach them two languages at the same time. I'm currently
working at a chinese restaurant owned by an entire chinese family. One of the
little boys, who is seven, can speak both English and Chinese very well.
Concerning social development in infants, I would have to say that the
attatchment and bond between mother and infant is the strongest and most
important bond the child will experience. Hopefully in the future, more fathers
will also get the chance to experience such a bond. I thought it was great
watching my nephew and niece go through infancy. I remember one day I was laying
on my bed watching my nephew. He had discovered his lips, and that he could make
bubble sounds and gurgling noises. Reading these chapters brought back all the
memories of his baby days.